McEachern High School

McEachern High School
Location
2400 New Macland Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 United States
Information
Type	Public school
Established	1908[1]
School district	Cobb County School District
Principal	Regina Montgomery
Faculty	222
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	2,466[2]
Color(s)	Blue and Gold
Mascot	Indians
Rival	Marietta High School
Information	[phone]
Website	www.cobbk12.org/McEachern

John McEachern High School or McEachern High School is a public high school established in 1908 in Powder Springs, Georgia, USA. It was originally established as the Seventh District Agricultural and Mechanical School. Due to its history, McEachern has an open campus, with its buildings spaced across the property. McEachern is the largest school in the CCSD, with around 2,500 students,^[2] in grades 9-12.

History

1908-1969 Academic Building

John Newton McEachern, co-founder of the Life of Georgia Insurance Company, displayed an early interest in the education of young people. Mr. McEachern's financial support and his donation of 240 acres (0.97 km²) of land enabled the establishment of a new school in the Macland community.

His endeavors inspired further donations for the school from civic-minded citizens. From these efforts an ambitious building project began. As a result of the work and dedication of Mr. McEachern and the community, the Seventh District Agricultural and Mechanical School opened in February 1908.

Constructed in 1908, the first structure was a large two-story academic building with large white columns, a building that remained in use until it was razed in 1969.

1912 - 1942 Girls' Dormitory for the A & M School

In 1909, the current Russell Hall was built to be used as a boys' dormitory. It was rebuilt in 1912 after a fire. The girls' dormitory was completed in 1912 on the site of the present John McEachern Hall. Next door to the girls' dormitory, a dining hall and the home for the principal were constructed. The current principal's home was also constructed during the early years of the A & M School. The top floor was used as a senior hall, and the bottom floor contained the shop. The students paid tuition and lived on campus. Aside from academics, part of the curriculum included farming. For their meals, students grew vegetables that were cooked by the female students. Other farming activities included raising livestock; students also grew cotton. In addition, students made the bricks for several buildings. Students could also participate in a variety of co-curricular activities including clubs and sports. The diverse education received at the A & M School prepared the students to be productive and responsible citizens.

early 1900s - 1968 Cabin

With the establishment of the University System of Georgia in 1933, the state program of Congressional District A & M Schools was abandoned, and all schools were closed. The Macland community insisted that the three large two-story buildings continue to be used for education. Five small Cobb County public schools (Corner, Macland, Due West, Talley's, and Mt. Zion) were incorporated into the Macland Consolidated School, which opened in October 1933.

Once again, the McEachern family contributed very generously toward the education of young people in the community. Their money was used for scholarships, textbooks, library books, and other school supplies. It seems natural that shortly thereafter the community, through the local Board of Trustees, petitioned the Cobb County Board of Education to change the name of the school to the John McEachern Schools.

1939 - 1979 Gymnasium/Auditorium Building

After this petition was approved in 1938, the school included students from first through eleventh grades. During this time, students graduated after the eleventh grade. The McEachern family's involvement continued through the 1940s. Not only did John N. McEachern, Jr., help match subscriptions made by citizens of the community when a fire destroyed the old A & M girls' dormitory in 1942, but also his mother, Lula Dobbs McEachern, and his sister, Christine McEachern Smith, made donations. After Mrs. McEachern's death in 1948, the John McEachern Endowment Fund was established with eighty percent of Mrs. McEachern's stock in the Life of Georgia Insurance Company. At this time, the John McEachern Trust Fund Board was organized to administer this fund.

1948 - 2007 John McEachern Hall

The school experienced its next expansion project in 1948 with the construction and opening of the elementary school building now known as John McEachern Hall. During this time, the old shop building was renovated into a spacious home for the principal. In 1957, a new gymnasium was built. A new wood shop and band room opened in 1962; after an addition to this building in 1963, it became the junior high school in what is presently Macland Hall. The boys' dormitory from the A & M years was renovated in 1964 into a classroom facility and renamed Russell Hall in honor of former Governor of Georgia and United States Senator Richard B. Russell (Class of 1914).

1968 - 1994 Recreation Building

The students selected the Indians for their school mascot under Principal Julian Garrison in the early 1950s. In 1960, McEachern fielded its first varsity football team with the first football stadium being constructed in 1965. Two other facilities, originally housing administrative offices, business education, mathematics, school library, and a biology lab, were built in 1967; these are presently known as Senior Hall and Junior Hall. Between 1970 and 1975, enrollment at all grade levels increased to the point that a transfer of first through eighth grades to other schools in the area was necessary. The campus became one school known as John McEachern High School in 1975. During this time, the stadium was expanded, and a new field house was added. The music department also moved into a new building that still houses band classes, art classes, and a small theater.

Bell Tower 1975–Present

As a tribute to the McEachern family and their generosity, the Bell Tower was built on the site of the first structure on campus, more recently known as the old high school building. The forty-foot brick and steel tower encloses four bronze forged bells that ring every half-hour. The name of a Trustee is engraved on each bell in recognition of his service to the school and community

Russell Hall 1964–Present

At this time, Russell Hall acquired a new façade featuring four thirty-foot white columns and an expanded portico. Rescued from demolition by Principal Ralph Williams, the interior was gutted and reconstructed; the building then became the focal point of the campus. It houses the Office of the Principal, the Board Room, and a school museum. The second floor houses the Guidance Department. Another highlight of this period was the opening of Dobbs Hall. Named in honor of Lula Dobbs McEachern, wife of John McEachern, Sr., Dobbs Hall includes a state-of-the-art media center and an up-to-date science facility. Fully equipped to handle the information age and move students into the curricula of the future, the media center's facilities include an in-house television station and the latest research tools. Complementing the lower level media center is the upper level science floor that offers increased laboratory space and the latest equipment and resources to help students explore all areas of the science discipline.

Ralph D. Williams Sports Complex 1991–Present

Progress continued as the 1989 school year saw McEachern move toward the twenty-first century. Two computer learning labs were installed for mathematics. The media center computerized research materials and brought the information age to the student's desktop. In the 1990s, the face of the campus continues to change and adapt to meet the needs of the students who attend John McEachern High School. Two new writing labs serve students and supplement the English curriculum. In 1991, the Ralph D. Williams Sports Complex was dedicated for competition in track and field events.

Business Technology 1992–Present

Opened in 1992, the Business Technology Building is a facility with six computer labs built for the modern and expanded curriculum in technology. Also located in this building are the foreign language labs for group and individual study. Nature Center 1994–Present

Nature Center 1994–present

The Nature Center at McEachern opened in 1994 and includes nature trails, a pavilion, a cottage, and the restored pond from early A & M years.

J. Alton Keith Theater 1996–Present

The J. Alton Keith Theater, opened in 1996, is considered to be one of the finest performing arts centers in Georgia. It is also one of the most technologically advanced theaters and the largest high school performing arts centers in the state of Georgia with a capacity of 889 seats.

Freshman Center 2000–Present

In the Fall of 2000, the Jack D. Hall Freshman Center opened. This building is the largest one on campus and is vital to the "Freshman Experience" where freshman get eased into the high school community by having a main building for most of their classes.

The Administration and Trust Fund Board of John McEachern High School believe that stepping ahead to meet the future is the challenge John McEachern and Lula Dobbs McEachern assumed when they first supported the concept that education can make an important difference in one's life. The faculty and staff of John McEachern High School remain committed to meeting the challenge of providing the very best education possible for all students. In 1908, the Seventh District A & M School began with fifty students. As John McEachern High School moves through the next century, student enrollment exceeds three thousand.

For over a century, the tradition continues...

Buildings

• Alumni House - upper floor is home to the grounds keeper, Bill, while the lower level holds the office of the Trust board.
• Business Technology Building (BT) - Bottom floor houses Foreign Language classes. Top floor houses business classes.
• Career-Tech building (CT) - Contains Auto-Tech, Health, Graphic Arts, Cosmetology and other technology courses.
• New Dining Hall - During the 2007-08 School year, A new state of the art dining hall was built where the old John McEachern Building once stood.
• Old Dining Hall - The bottom remains in use by NJORTC and the top is used as a new book room.
• Dobbs Hall - Houses Science classes and the library on the bottom level.
• Fine Arts Center (FAC) - Houses the band room, Book Room, and old theater. (Will be replaced by a new gym.)
• Freshman Center (FC or F) - Freshmen advisement is held here as well as Freshmen courses. Basement holds most extra-curricular courses, such as Art, Culinary-Arts, and others.
• John McEachern Building (JM) - English classes were held here. Was torn down
• Macland Hall - Houses Social Studies classes, Special Education classes, and a FACS Nutrition and Wellness classroom.
• Physical Education & Hall of Fame Building - Newest building across from Business Technology building and connecting to the Cantrell Stadium. Gym classes are held here.
• Lovinggood Gym(New Gym) - All gym classes take place here.
• Mosley Scaffe Gym(Old Gym) - Demolished Summer 2009 - to be replaced by an even bigger new Gym.
• Performing Art Center (PAC) - Houses the Orchestra, Chorus, and Drama classes as well as the John Alton Keith Theater.
• Russell Hall - Main offices are found here. It is the original building on campus.
• Senior & Junior Buildings - Two of the older buildings on campus, the Junior and Senior buildings are home to the Math department.
• New Fine Arts center- beside the PAC across from the parking lot by the Orchestra/Chorus exits.
• Walter H. cantrell stadium -Is a 12,500 seat stadium (largest high school stadium in the state) used primarily for football, soccer, marching band exhibitions, and gradutation ceremonies.

Notable alumni

• Morris Almond - Drafted 25th overall the Utah Jazz. Played for Rice University.
• Mark Lee - Lead Guitarist for the four-time Grammy Award winning band Third Day graduated in 1991.^[3]
• Adam Meadows - Four year starter for the University of Georgia, drafted by the Indianapolis Colts.
• Gerald McRath - Linebacker for Southern Miss. Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the 2009 NFL draft as an outside line backer.Graduated 2004
• Mac Powell - Lead singer of the four-time Grammy Award winning band Third Day graduated in 1991.^[3]
• Ken Rodriguez - Fox 5 Sports anchor^[4]
• Lissa Endriga- International Model/ TV Host for Travel Show Destination X TV
• Josh Smith - Forward for the Atlanta Hawks.
• Doc Shaw - Actor: Tyler Perry's House of Payne, The Suite Life on Deck, and Pair of Kings ^[5]
• Elle Duncan-Radio Host: V-103 Radio Host
• Chris Pope - Producer/Celebrity Social Media Publicist.

References

1. ^ "The History of John McEachern High School". McEachern High School. http://www.cobb.k12.ga.us/~mceachern/McEachern%20Web/Information%20Pages/MHS%20History%201.htm. Retrieved 2007-08-01. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Cox, Kathy (2007-10-02). "Enrollment by Grade Level (PK-12): Fiscal Year 2008, Count 1 07 (FTE 2008-1)" (List). Full-time Equivalent (FTE) Data Collection System. Georgia Department of Education. http://app.doe.k12.ga.us/ows-bin/owa/fte_pack_enrollgrade.entry_form. Retrieved 2007-11-26. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Third Day Site
4. ^ http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/about_us/fox_5_people/ken_rodriguez_biography_011909
5. ^ . http://powdersprings.patch.com/articles/from-powder-springs-to-tv-star. 

External links

• McEachern High School official site

33°53′46″N 84°40′41″W / 33.896°N 84.678°W / 33.896; -84.678Coordinates: 33°53′46″N 84°40′41″W / 33.896°N 84.678°W / 33.896; -84.678